Maarten SEPERS | Raphaël PANHUYSEN
(University of Amsterdam, ACASA – Department of Archaeology, The Netherlands)
Keywords: 3D recording, palaeopathology, archaeological methods, digital preservation, valorization
Abstract:
In recent years 3D documentation techniques have rapidly developed and become more accessible. At this moment 3D techniques are applied on a limited scale in palaeopathology. Scanning human skeletal remains with a structured light 3D scanner literally sheds new light on these bones. It is becoming an important tool in refining the diagnosis of pathological bone changes, allows for a detailed quantification of bone changes and provides new means to model and virtually reconstruct bones with pathological changes. On the basis of two case studies this presentation will discuss the benefits of 3D scanning .
For research purposes 3D data have two evident advantages. Contemporary digital three-dimensional scanning techniques can record surfaces of materials in an unprecedented accuracy. This information on the microstructure of the surface of the bone facilitates differentiation between post mortem and in vivo changes in the bone and therefore is of help diagnosing ancient pathologies. Furthermore the 3D models allow a reconstruction of damaged and incomplete bones without interfering with the original skeletal remains. As a result the nature and dispersion of pathological changes can be documented and quantified, which may also provide clues for diagnosis of the underlying condition.
Other applications of the use of 3D for the documentation of human remains lie within the field of cultural heritage. Since this technique allows us to digitally disclose inaccessible collections and contribute to the preservation of fragile objects. Similarly the data and visualizations can also be of great value in communication between specialists and the transfer of knowledge.